The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-03-24
CHAPTER xxx.

| CHAPIER AAlAs
! think the boatswain was right
1t was no season for love-making;
but it was surely fitting moment for
finding each other out in"
We dispatched our meal, and l went
onto the main-deck to sound the well.
l found two feet of water in the hold,
and l came back and gave the boat
swain the soundings, who recommend
ed that we should at once turn to and
get the boat ready.
We had never yet had the leisure to
inspect the stores with which the
mutineers had furnished the quarter
boat, and We now found, in spite of
their having shifted lot of provisions
out of her into the long-boat before
starting in pursuit of US, that there
was still an abundance left; four kegs
of water. several tins of cuddy bread,
preserved meat and fruits, sugar, flour,
and other things, not to mention such
items as boxes of lucifer matches, fish
ing-tackle, a burning-glass, a quantity
of tools and nails; in word, every
thing which men in the condition they
had hoped to find themselves in might
stand in need of to support life. In
deed. the foresight illustrated by the
provisioning of this boat was truly re-
markable, the only things they had
omitted being a mast and sail, it hav-
ing been their intention to keep this
boat in tow of the other. even found
that they had furnished the boat with
the oars belonging to the disabled
quarter-boat in addition to her own.
However, the boat was not yet
stocked to my satisfaction. therefore
repaired to my cabin and procured the
boats compass, some charts, a sex
tant, and other necessary articles such
as the Nautical Almanac" and pen
ellis and paper where-with to work out
my observations. which placed very
carefully in the locker in the stern
sheets of the boat.
/ allowed Mary to help me, that the
occupation might divert her mind from
the overwhelming thoughts which the
gradual settling of the ship on which
we stood must have excited in the
strongest and bravcst mind; and, in
deed, worked busily and eagerly to
guard myself against any terror that
might come upon me. She it was who
suggested that we should provide our
selves with lamps and oil; and l
shipped lantern to hoist at our mast
head when the darkness came, and the
bull's-eye lamp to enable me TO work
out observations of the stars. which l
intended to make when the night fell.
To all these things, which sound nu-
merous, but in reality occupied but
little space, added can of oil, meshes
for the lamps, top coats, oil-skins and
rugs to protect us at night, so that the
afternoon was well advanced before
we had ended our preparations. Mean
while, the boatswain had stepped top
gallant stun'-sail boom to serve us for
a mast, well stayed, with block and
halyards ut the masthead to serve
for hosting a flag or lantern, and a
spare top-galiant stun'-sail to act as a
sail.
By this time the wind had complete
II died away; peaceful deep-blue sky
stretched from horizon to horizon; and
the agitation of the sea had subsidized
into a long and silent swell. which
washed up against the ships sides,
scarcely causing her to roll, so deep
had she sunk in the water.
Inow thought it high time to lower
the boat and bring her alongside, a5
our calculations of the length of time
to be occupied by the ship in sinking
might be falsitied to our destruction by
her suddenly going stern down with US
on board.
We therefore lowered the boat and
got the gangway ladder over the side.
The boatswain got into the boat first
to help Mary into her. i then took the
steward by the arms and brought him
along smartly, as there was danger in
keeping the boat washing against the
ships side. He resisted at first, and
only smiled vacantly when threatened
to leave him; but on the boatswain
crying out that his wife was waiting
for him, the poor idiot got himself to-
gether with a scramble, and went so
hastily over the gangway that he mar
rowly escaped ducking.
Ipaused moment at the gangway
and looked around, striving to remem-
Der if there was any thing we had for
gotten which would be of some use to
us. Mary watched ME anxiOusly, and
called to me by my Christian name, at
the same time extending her arms.
would not keep her in suspense mo-
ment, and at once dropped into the
boat. She grasped and fondled my
hand, and drew me close beside her.
TTo BE CONTINUED